Things to Do in FENCE HOUSES

Sports Facilities

Houghton Sports & Wellness Centre

This well-equipped leisure facility on Station Road caters for all ages with activities from football pitches to skating rinks, plus accessible amenities and on-site parking for easy family visits.

Parks & Play Areas

Riverside Park Chester-le-Street

This expansive parkland offers families a fantastic splash pad alongside extensive play zones, scenic walking trails and beautiful gardens, plus handy facilities including refreshments, parking and accessible amenities.

Horse Riding

Penshaw Equestrian Centre

Located at Penshaw Hill Farm, this village equestrian centre offers riding activities alongside refreshments from its onsite restaurant. Note that facilities are limited, with no toilets or wheelchair access available.

Parks & Play Areas

Herrington Country Park

This spacious Penshaw park delights families with scenic walking and cycling routes, striking outdoor art installations and regular events, plus pushchair-friendly paths and a warm welcome for dogs.

Farm Parks

Down at the Farm

Meet farm animals from Britain and beyond at this welcoming Houghton-le-Spring attraction, where families can discover countryside life with wheelchair access, picnic areas and dining options.

Parks & Play Areas

Adventure Valley

This Durham farm-based attraction combines outdoor adventure zones with indoor play spaces and friendly farmyard animals, keeping energetic youngsters entertained for hours. Fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs throughout.

Go Karting & Driving Experiences

Karting North East

Experience high-speed thrills on one of Britain's biggest go-kart tracks, plus tackle exciting 4x4 off-road driving challenges at this action-packed Sunderland motorsport venue.

Swimming & Leisure Centres

Washington Leisure Centre

Pack the family off to this town centre hub for energetic fun, with sports facilities, onsite dining and full accessibility including baby changing rooms.

Castles & Palaces

Durham Castle

Step into a millennium of medieval heritage at this working university college where children under 16 explore free. Family-friendly facilities include picnic areas and full accessibility.

Landmarks & Monuments

Durham Cathedral

This magnificent Norman cathedral welcomes families with accessible facilities including baby changing areas and wheelchair-friendly access, plus you can enjoy your own picnic on the historic grounds.

Farm Parks

East Grange Farm

A welcoming children's farm offering hands-on animal encounters with full accessibility for wheelchairs and pushchairs, plus baby facilities, on-site refreshments and picnic-friendly grounds.

Bowling Alleys

Hollywood Bowl Washington

Strike up family fun with bowling lanes, classic arcade entertainment and dining at this Galleries Retail Park venue offering full accessibility and facilities for all ages.

Zoos & Animal Parks

WWT Washington Wetland Centre

Get close to nature at this peaceful wildlife haven where little ones can feed waterfowl by hand, explore wetland habitats and spot native species across pushchair-friendly trails and scenic reserves.

Indoor Soft Play

Pineapple and Bears

Trampoline & Bounce Parks

Infinite Air Trampoline Park

Let active kids burn off energy across a vast indoor bouncing arena at Durham's New Ferens Park, where snacks keep everyone fueled for action-packed trampoline fun.

Go Karting & Driving Experiences

TopGear Karting

Race through an electrifying indoor karting circuit featuring dramatic lighting effects and a pumping disco soundtrack, perfect for young drivers aged 9 and up seeking thrills in Durham.

Sports Facilities

Silksworth Sports Complex & Ski Slope

This family-friendly sports hub offers skiing and snowboarding on real slopes, plus football pitches and fishing lakes, with full facilities including wheelchair access and picnic areas.

Swimming & Leisure Centres

Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis & Wellness Centre

This modern leisure facility offers swimming, tennis courts and various indoor sports activities for all the family, complete with onsite parking, wheelchair access and a restaurant.

Indoor Soft Play

South Durham Gymnastics

An active play venue where little ones can bounce, climb and tumble in a safe environment, with baby-changing facilities and pushchair access throughout for families with young children.